So you’ve decided to try babywearing — perhaps you’ve read the Babywearing 101 series, or Baby Essentials That Aren’t, here at Eco Child’s Play.  As a green-minded parent, you may now be wondering what options exist for slings and carriers made of organic and eco-friendly fabrics.

You might be pleasantly surprised.  From small-business WAHM handmade slings, to big-name brands, there is a wide selection of organic baby carriers out there to choose from.  Whatever style of carrier you prefer, organic options in natural colour-grown fabrics and vivid naturally-dyed colours abound.

Here is just a partial list, to help get your search started.

• Ellaroo makes beautiful ring slings in cotton sateen with gorgeous prints on the tail.  Their mei tais (pictured above, featuring the author’s husband and daughter in Ellaroo “Hershey”) are also made of organic cotton (and even used recycled pop bottles as the polyester batting), as are their “Mei Hip” carriers — an intriguing hybrid carrier that’s like a one-shouldered mei tai, securing your baby on your hip.
• The ubiquitous Moby Wrap comes in an organic option.
• The New Native pouch sling has many solid colours and beautiful prints in organic cotton twill and flannel.  I’ll admit this particular pouch is not my favourite, due to its odd shape and tendency to be worn too low, but it has high ratings at TheBabyWearer.com’s reviews so it’s obviously a good choice for many!
• The Ergo soft structured carrier (or “SSC”, these carriers have straps and buckles like the Baby Bjorn but the wide seat and comfort of a mei tai) has organic cotton options in plain colours, and with beautiful embroidery.
• The European NatiBaby wrap comes in two natural organic colours.
• Continuum-family’s handmade pouch slings are available in colour-grown “pecan” and “sage” cotton, as well as a natural hemp/organic cotton blend.
• Ollie Golightly’s “Earth Collection” ring slings are not only organic, but certified fair trade and dyed by completely natural processes.  Charming print options for the tail make these a very eco-fashionable choice.
• Pretty Momma ring slings are available in organic cotton, organic hemp, and bamboo – which is not certified organic, but bamboo is arguably a green fabric option.
• Little Star pouch slings are available in natural organic cotton and a hemp/cotton blend.  Located in my hometown, this company donates 3% of their profits to a local shelter for abused women and children, and donates slings to a local anti-poverty organization!
• The Lucky Baby pouch sling has one organic option in a lovely reversible purple floral pattern.
• Maya Wrap ring slings have three fun and elegant organic prints (check out the bright green “Lime Lollipop”).
• Last, but certainly not least, Hotslings pouch sling has an organic hemp/cotton blend available.  This was my first organic sling when my daughter was an infant.

There are certainly many others out there that I’ve missed, especially smaller momma-run businesses.  What other organic baby carriers can you share with us?

[This post was written by Heather Dunham]